Name:________________________________

Virtual Mitosis Lab

Pick up a chromebook, log in using your school id and password, then go to

http://mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/virtual_labs/BL_23/BL_23.html

Purpose: In this virtual lab you will examine the difference between the cell cycle of
normal and cancerous cells of several types. How will the cycle cycle of normal and
cancerous cells differ?

Hypothesis:

Purpose:
1. Click on the TV and press the play button to watch a video on the cell cycle.
2. On the bottom right hand corner of the screen press the information button
and read the information presented.
3. Click on the microscope where you will view slides of stomach, lung, and
ovary cells that are normal and cancerous. First look at the table of contents
and click, one at a time, on each phase of mitosis and read what is occurring
during each.
4. Label the boxes under cell with the correct phase of the cell cycle. You will
have to click onto the picture of your chosen phase and drag the label down
to the correct box. When you are finished with all the labels on that slide
click “check” to make sure that you are correct. When you are completely
correct all the cells in the slide will become labeled and you will fill in the
data table for that type of cell.
5. Click the box of tissue slides under the microscope and chose a different slide
type and repeat step 4. Continue until 6 slides have been labeled.
6. Calculate the percentage of cells dividing (cells in mitosis) and the
percentage of the cells at rest (cells in interphase) and enter into the data
table.
7. Click “return” and then click on the slide carousel. Along the bottom of the
screen there are 4 tissue slides to examine. You will need to drag the slides,
on at a time, into the carousel in order to view them.
Data:
Interphase Prophase Metaphase Anaphase Telophase % % rest
dividing
Normal
Lung
Cancerous
Lung
Normal
Stomach
Cancerous
Stomach
Normal
Ovary
Cancerous
Ovary

Analysis:
1. When studying cell division in tissue samples, scientists often calculate a
mitotic index, which is the ratio of dividing cells to the total number of cells
in the sample. Scientists often calculate the mitotic index to compare the
growth rates of different types of tissue. Which type of tissue would have a
higher mitotic index, normal tissue or cancerous tissue? Explain.

2. Based on your data and observations, what is the difference between normal
and cancerous cells? Use the mitotic index of normal and cancerous cells to
explain.

3. Which type of cancer shows the most aggressive growth. How can you tell?

Conclusion: